Fence mesh banner printing: mesh vs PVC on temporary fencing

A printed fence mesh banner is a simple, low-cost way to turn a temporary site fence into a project announcement, and on an exposed site mesh is the usual choice over solid PVC because it lets some wind through. A banner is still a sail: material, fixing and wind load decide whether it looks sharp for a year or tears, flaps or pulls a fence over.

This is general information, not engineering or legal advice. Wind load on fencing is a matter for the fence supplier and the principal contractor; confirm their requirements before you add any cladding.

Should a site fence banner be mesh or solid PVC?

For an exposed site fence, mesh is the usual choice. Solid PVC belongs on a rigid structure that is designed to take it, or somewhere sheltered.

Fence mesh is a PVC-coated polyester fabric woven with small open holes. Print sits on the solid threads, and the holes let a share of the wind pass through. From a few metres away the holes disappear and the image reads as a continuous graphic, though fine text and thin lines lose some sharpness.

Solid PVC banner is a continuous sheet. It prints more crisply and blocks the view completely, but it catches all of the wind that hits it.

How much does mesh porosity reduce wind load on a fence?

Mesh porosity reduces wind load on a fence, but by less than people assume. The key number on a mesh data sheet is its open area, sometimes called porosity: the share of the surface that is holes. Ask the supplier for it; it varies between products and is not the same as the weight in grams per square metre.

Australia's wind loading standard, AS/NZS 1170.2, allows a reduction for porous freestanding walls and hoardings using a factor of 1 − (1 − δ)², where δ is the porosity. On that formula, a material with 30 per cent open area keeps roughly half the wind load of a solid sheet, not 70 per cent less. Worked through: 1 − (0.7)² = 0.51.

The practical points:

• Mesh helps, but a fully clad fence is still carrying a large extra load compared with bare wire.
• Fence panels need extra bracing and ballast once any cladding goes on. The temporary fencing standard, AS 4687.2, addresses fencing panels and their stability, including with cladding such as shade cloth or banners.
• Ask your fence hire company whether their panels and stays are rated for the cladding you plan, and follow their bracing spacing.

Why is a fence banner a safety issue, not just a print issue?

A fence banner is a safety issue because temporary fences blown over by wind are a known hazard to pedestrians, traffic and workers. Under WHS laws the person conducting the business or undertaking, and on larger projects the principal contractor, must manage risks arising from the site, including securing the workplace from unauthorised access. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice for construction work covers site security, and state regulators have issued guidance on temporary fencing stability.

Councils have an interest too, because many fences sit on or next to the footpath. If the fence forms part of a hoarding or footpath occupation, the council's approval conditions may set requirements on bracing, lighting and graphics. Check your approval.

Simple habits that reduce risk:

• Ties on every eyelet, not every second one.
• Leave a small gap at the bottom of the banner rather than burying it in the ground or sandbags, so it does not trap debris.
• After severe weather warnings, decide in advance whether banners come off or stay. Your builder's site procedures should say.
• Inspect weekly for torn eyelets, broken ties and fence panels that have moved.

What size fence mesh banner fits a temporary fence panel?

A common temporary fence panel in Australia is about 2400mm wide and 1800mm high, with mesh infill and feet set into concrete or plastic bases. Our fence mesh banner is made to that panel: 2400 x 1800mm, one banner per panel.

Before ordering, measure:

• the panel width and height on your actual site, as hire companies differ;
• the number of panels in the run, and which sides face the street;
• gates and any panels that open, which should carry their own banner so the graphic is not split when the gate is open.

For a long run, design the artwork as a sequence across panels so that the development name or render does not land on a panel join. A run of identical panels, each with the full message, is simpler and means any one panel can be replaced.

How should a fence mesh banner be fixed to the fence?

Fix a fence mesh banner with UV-stabilised nylon cable ties through every eyelet. Our fence mesh and PVC banners are hemmed with eyelets every 500mm around the edge. On a 2400 x 1800mm banner, that gives plenty of fixing points to spread the load across the fence frame rather than concentrating it on a few corners.

Pull the ties firm but not so tight that they distort the mesh. Cut the tails short and neatly. Avoid wire, which chafes through the hem. Replace any ties that have gone brittle or snapped; one loose corner soon becomes a tear.

How should artwork be designed so it reads on fence mesh?

• Keep text large. Mesh softens fine type, so small print such as a website or disclaimer needs to be bigger than you would use on paper.
• Use high contrast and solid colour areas.
• Keep key elements away from the edges and hem, which are folded over and fixed.
• Supply images at enough resolution for the printed size; a person checks resolution at the printed size as part of our proof checklist.

How long does a fence mesh banner last?

A well-fixed mesh banner on a sheltered street can stay presentable for a year or more, while a banner on an exposed corner may need replacing sooner. How long a banner lasts depends on sun exposure, wind and how well it is tied off. Fading usually shows in reds and yellows first. Plan for a mid-project replacement on long builds and keep the artwork on file so replacements match.

How much does a fence mesh banner cost?

Banners and site mesh includes a 2400 x 1800mm fence mesh banner from $275 for one, $515 for five and $890 for ten, inc GST with metro delivery included. Solid PVC banners start from $270 for a 3000 x 1000mm banner. Five fence mesh banners are also part of The Development Suite. Installation is arranged through your consultant, and your builder or fence supplier should confirm bracing before any cladding goes on. For the wider picture of development print, see our property development page.